How to fit ceiling cladding trim
How to fit ceiling cladding trim
Ceiling Cladding Trims come in two types; the trims you fit before installing the ceiling panels and the trims you fit after you install the ceiling panels. Ceiling Panel Trims really do make a big difference to the finished ceiling as they will cover any rough cuts and the expansion gap.
Are ceiling cladding trims easy to fit? What are the best methods for fitting ceiling cladding trims?
We cover all the steps for installing ceiling cladding trims including how to measure, how to cut and how to install to achieve the best possible finish.
Ceiling Cladding Trims
How to fit ceiling cladding trims – Measure
Fitting ceiling cladding trims begins with measuring up and you really do need to measure twice and cut once.
If we work on a square room, measuring for ceiling cladding trims is straightforward but you really do need to be accurate, this is not a time for an ‘it’ll do’ approach.
Measure from wall cladding to wall cladding
An important point is the start and end point for measuring. You are measuring the distance between the inner skin of the wall cladding on Walls D and B and this will give you the measurement for the trim length for wall A.
In the next section we discuss cutting the ceiling cladding trim, this is where I prefer using a Mitre saw as you can creep up to the exact measurement. You will learn a lot after cutting your first trim – my advice is to cut and offer up repeatedly until you are happy. If you are using mitre cuts, cut a scrap piece of trim and then offer that with the dry fit trim to check your mitre join and angle.
How to fit ceiling cladding trims – Cutting Trims
Cutting Trims is straightforward but the type of cut will depend on the type of trim used. The majority of ceiling cladding trims (Coving, Quadrant/Scotia and L shape) will require a mitre cut but if you use an end cap trim you would use a square cut.
When cutting a trim you would use either a hacksaw with Mitre Block or a Mitre Saw, both will give you a clean cut. The hacksaw or panel saw will give you more control of the cut but a Mitre saw allows you to creep up on the cut for greater accuracy.
If you are using a mitre cut for the corners you really need to check that the corners are 90 degrees because they rarely are. It really depends on the level of tolerance you are happy with.
White PVC Trims are far more forgiving than a chrome or Aluminium trim. With white trims you can cover any rough cuts with a bead of silicone sealant, with chrome or ALU you need to be far more accurate.
How to fit ceiling cladding trims – Installing Trims
Fitting ceiling cladding trims comes down to the two types; before installing the ceiling cladding and after installing the ceiling cladding.
Before installing the ceiling cladding
This applies to coving and end cap*. You have already fitted the wall panels so you will fit the coving trim to the bare ceiling. Apply a fine bead of sealant to both contact surfaces and then secure in position with either a small screw or staples. You would then fit the ceiling panel in the recess in the rear of the coving trim on walls D and B slotting the long side into the recess on wall A.
After installing the ceiling cladding
This is my preferred option as its easier and faster.
First try a dry fit and check for size and if the mitres are true. To install, apply a fine bead of sealant to both contact sides of the trim then push into position and then secure with a strip of masking tape until the sealant cures.
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Glen Coulson
Glen is one of our expert bloggers in bathroom design, cladding and all things DIY. If he isn’t fitting PVC panels, he’s talking or writing about PVC Panels and really should get out more.
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